Divorce doesn’t have to be an expensive process. There are ways to save money when it comes to a divorce.
It is hard dealing with all the things you will have to give up – and the thought of rebuilding your life after the divorce can be devastating. Divorce is hard, but you do have choices.
You can do things the easy way or the hard way. Don’t forget – by doing things the hard way, it generally costs you more money.
Isn’t it easier if you choose to control your divorce then allowing it to control you? If this is the case, you need to learn how to control the cost of your divorce.
Even though your attorney is the expert, there are certain things you can do to help things along while keeping costs down:
- Don’t use your attorney as the “communicator”. It is not necessary for your attorney to find out who is picking up the children or taking them some place. Instead, use your attorney to understand divorce law and make sure you don’t say or do something you will regret later on.
- Voluntarily exchange information pertaining to income, assets and debts instead of each of you paying someone to obtain the same information. Consider sharing the information and the costs. Would you like to spend more money and let your attorney do all the work?
- Don’t ask for information you have access to. The amount of money you spend on your attorney will reduce the amount you get to keep for yourself.
- Don’t make waves for things you don’t care about. Why fight over a piece of property you don’t even want or care about? Give in to your ex; save some money in the process. You’ll feel good later on.
- Get updates from your attorney regularly. Even though your attorney is supposed to represent your best interests during the divorce, if you don’t know what he or she is doing, or why, how do you know your interests are being represented?
- Don’t be afraid to ask your attorney if something can be done less expensively. Maybe you can do it yourself.
Don’t forget that this is your divorce and your attorney is working for you. Do what’s best for you and your family. When the smoke clears, you will be the one who has to live with the cost of the divorce and the ultimate result.
If you are considering divorce, we know you have many unanswered questions. I would invite you to contact the Orange County family law offices of Amy M. Montes to discuss your particular situation and discover how I can help you.
We know that emotions can run very high and the decisions you make can last a life time. It is important that you hire an attorney who is compassionate, understanding and one you will feel comfortable working with.
